Sectional user interface for controlling a mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a screen of a mobile terminal that simultaneously displays a plurality of execution screens is provided. The method preferably includes: displaying a layout composed of a plurality of sections when a magazine creation event is sensed; mapping applications to the plurality of sections in a one-to-one correspondence, respectively to create a magazine; and displaying the magazine, and an execution screen of an application mapped to each of the sections is arranged at the magazine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/367,688 filed on Feb. 7, 2012 which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) based on U.S. provisional application No.61/463,043 filed in the USPTO on Feb. 11, 2011, and under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0059539 filed inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 20, 2011, the entirecontents of both documents being incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a screen of amobile terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to amethod for controlling a screen of a mobile terminal that displaysmultiple applications and a screen for execution.

Description of the Related Art

A market for mobile terminals has been rapidly growing due to variousinnovations in designs, as well as applications stimulating purchase. Inparticular, unlike an existing mobile phone using only given functions,a smart phone may download and install various applications from on-linemarkets. Such a mobile terminal may provide a multi-taskingsimultaneously performing various tasks. For example, a user may performweb surfing while listening to the music, and receive a reception guideincluding metadata about a program while watching a movie.

Accordingly, the mobile terminal requires an interface technology suchthat a user may rapid approach a corresponding application of a desiredtask. In order to provide such an interface technology, the mobileterminal generally includes a touch screen. Further, the mobile terminaldivides a display region into a main region and a sub region. Oneexecuted application execution screen is disposed on the main region.Icons of other executed applications and icons of favorite applicationsof a user are disposed at the sub region to increase accessibility withrespect to applications.

However, the interface technology merely provides accessibility but doesnot present a method that allows a user to view a plurality ofapplication execution screens in a substantially simultaneously manner.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a method for controlling a screen of amobile terminal that permits a user to simultaneously view a pluralityof application execution screens.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention, amethod for controlling a screen of a mobile terminal preferablyincludes: displaying a layout composed of a plurality of sections when amagazine creation event is sensed; mapping applications to the pluralityof sections in a one-to-one correspondence, respectively to create amagazine; and displaying the magazine. An execution screen of anapplication mapped to each of the sections is arranged at the magazine.

Displaying a layout preferably includes displaying one selected by auser from among a plurality of layouts having different locations of asection.

Mapping applications preferably includes: displaying an application listwhen one is selected from the plurality of sections; mapping theselected application to the selected section when one application isselected from the application list; and displaying an application iconpreferably above the selected section to indicate the selectedapplication. Displaying the magazine preferably includes: displaying oneof a plurality of magazines when a magazine display event is sensed; andchanging the displayed magazine to another magazine when a magazinechange event is sensed.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present invention, amethod for controlling a screen of a mobile terminal preferably includeschanging at least one of the plurality of applications to anotherapplication when a magazine edit event is sensed while displaying themagazine.

As disclosed above and herein below, in a method for controlling ascreen of a mobile terminal according to the present invention, a usermay simultaneously view a plurality of application execution screens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art fromthe following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of aconfiguration of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an exemplary procedure of changing andediting a magazine according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a layout change procedureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary procedure of creating amagazine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an exemplary layout change procedureaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an exemplary layout change procedureaccording to still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an exemplary layout change procedureaccording to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operation of a method forcontrolling a screen of a mobile terminal according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for controlling a screen of a mobile terminal according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention is described withreference to the accompanying drawings in more detail herein below. Thesame reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions andstructures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuringappreciation of the subject matter of the present invention by a personof ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, the term “application execution screen” is distinguishedfrom an icon, which refers to a graphic displayed on a screen when acorresponding application is executed. As used herein, the term“magazine” refers to a screen shown on a display unit of a mobileterminal. The magazine is divided into a plurality of sections, and anapplication execution is arranged in each of the sections. As usedherein, the term “layout” is a screen displayed on a display unit of amobile terminal, which refers to an arranged form of a plurality ofsections. A user may create and edit a magazine through the layout. Asused herein, the term “mapping” refers to a procedure connecting anapplication to a section when a layout is displayed. As used herein, theterm “widget” refers to a mini application. That is, as generally knownby persons of ordinary skill in the art, the widget is a miniapplication that permits a user to directly use contents or functionswithout using an application. A mini-application such as weather,calendar, calculator, or news may comprise a widget. In the art, awidget is distinguished from an “app” because a widget is alwaysrunning. Web widgets are stand alone mini-applications that are sharableand can run on any web page as long as you have an internet connectionand a browser. In contrast, a conventional application, which is not awidget, requires you to click on the application's icon to open and runit. You then close the application when finished. Hereinafter, it isappreciated that a mini-application is concept including the widget, asthere is a degree of overlap.

A mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is a terminal including a touch screen. A person of ordinaryskill in the art should appreciate that the mobile terminal exemplifiedin the present invention is representative of various informationcommunication devices and multi-media devices such as MP3 player,Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA),tablet PC, portable phone, Smart Phone, and application thereof, just toname a few possibilities. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the mobileterminal is a smart phone.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of aconfiguration of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a mobile terminal 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may include a touch screen 110, akey input unit 120, a display unit 130, a memory 140, an audioprocessing unit 150, a radio frequency (RF) communication unit 160, acamera 170, and a controller 180.

The touch screen 110 transfers detection of a touch event to thecontroller 180. The touch event may be divided into Touch & Drop, Drag &Drop, and Flick & Drop, etc. according to its operation. Here, the touch& drop refers to an operation of pushing one point displayed on thetouch screen with a finger and then separating the finger from thepoint. The drag & drop typically refers to an operation of moving afinger in a certain direction with it pushing one point and thenseparating the finger from the touch screen. The flick & drop refers toan operation of moving a finger quickly like flipping the finger andthen separating the finger from the touch screen. The controller 180 mayrecognize a flick and drag operation according to a moving speed.Further, the touch & drop operation may be divided into tap and pressaccording to a touch time. That is, tap is an operation separating afinger after shortly touching the finger against the touchscreen. Thepress refers to a touch operation separating a finger from thetouchscreen after relatively touching the finger for a longer period oftime.

Further, a touch event according to the present invention may be dividedinto one of a plurality of events, such as a magazine display event, amagazine creation event, a magazine edit event, a magazine change event,a magazine end event, a layout display event, a layout change event, anicon removal event, and a section control event according to itsmeanings. Besides this, the touch event may be variously classifiedaccording to locations, directions, distances, and pressures. Meanwhile,a resistive type, a capacitive type, or a pressure type display can beused with the touch screen 110.

The key input unit 120 is configured by a plurality of keys for anoperation of the mobile terminal 100, and transfers a key signal to thecontroller 180. They keys may be virtual, and it is within the spirit ofthe invention that the input unit may constitute an auxiliary input tothe touch display, or certain functions, etc. might be associated withthe key input. Here, the key signal may be divided into a power on/offsignal, a volume control signal, and a screen on/off signal.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the display unit 130 converts imagedata input from the controller 180 into an analog signal and displaysthe analog signal. The display unit 130 of the present inventionpreferably divides a screen into an indicator region, a main region, anda sub region, and displays time, a residual amount of a battery, and areceiving rate on the indicator region, and displays a main screen and asub screen on remaining two regions. Here, the main screen may compriseone of a lock screen, a home screen, an application execution screen, alayout, or a magazine. Here, the lock screen generally is an imagedisplayed when a screen of the display unit 130 is enlarged. Further,the home screen is an image including a plurality of icons for executingan application. Meanwhile, the sub screen may be an executed image or animage including a favorite application icon of a user. In the meantime,the sub screen may be configured by a menu for changing display of themain screen.

The memory 140, which is a non-transitory machine readable medium,stores programs and data necessary for an operation of the mobileterminal 100, namely, OS, applications, and data such as images, audios,and videos. Further, the memory 140 preferably includes a main storageunit and a secondary storage unit. Here, the secondary storage unit maybe configured by a flash memory and the main storage unit may beconfigured by a RAM.

The main storage unit preferably comprises a storage space in which anOS and an application are loaded. That is, if the mobile terminal 100 isbooted, the OS is executed in a loaded state from the secondary storageunit to the main storage unit. Further, the application is executed in aloaded state from the secondary storage unit to the main storage unit.If execution of a corresponding application is terminated, it is thenremoved from the main storage unit. Meanwhile, the secondary storageunit is a space that preferably stores the OS, various applications anddata. Here, the secondary storage unit may be divided into a data areaand a program area. In particular, the data area of the presentinvention stores various layouts of screen displays. Further, the dataarea of the present invention stores a plurality of magazines created oredited through the layouts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the audio processing unit 150 performs a functionthat transmits an audio signal input from the controller 170 to aspeaker SPK and transmits audio signals such as voices input from themicrophone MIC to the controller 180. That is, the audio processing unit150 converts voice/sound data into an audible sound through the speakerSPK under the control of the controller 180 and outputs the audiblesound. The audio processing unit 150 converts an audio signal such asvoices received from the microphone MIC into a digital signal andtransfers the digital signal to the controller 180.

The RF communication unit 160 can perform transmission/reception ofsignals associated with portable phone communication, Short MessageService (SMS), Multimedia Message Service (MMS), a speech call, avideophone call, and data communication. For example, the RFcommunication unit 160 converts voice/sound data and control data intoRF signals, and transmits the RF signals via antenna 165. The RFcommunication unit 160 receives and converts RF signals into voice/sounddata and control data and output the voice/sound data and control data.To do this, the RF communication unit 160 may include an RF transmitter(not shown) up-converting a frequency of a transmitted signal andamplifying the signal, an RF receiver (not shown) forlow-noise-amplifying a received signal and down-converting the signal.

The camera 170 captures an image and outputs the captured image to thecontroller 180. The camera 17 preferably includes a front cameradisposed at a front surface of the mobile terminal and a rear cameradisposed at a rear surface thereof.

The controller 180, which may be a processor or microprocessor, controlsan overall operation of the mobile terminal 100 and signal flow betweeninternal blocks in the mobile terminal 100. In particular, if a lockrelease event, for example, drag & drop from a left side to a right sideis sensed, an image displayed on a screen is converted from a lockscreen to a home screen, an application execution screen, or a magazine.If a touch event for any one application icon, for example, tap issensed, the controller 180 executes a corresponding application andconverts an image displayed on a screen from a home screen to anapplication execution screen. For example, if a user taps an icon for avideophone call, the controller 180 controls the display unit 130 todisplay a call execution screen on a main screen region. Further, if amagazine display event (e.g., tap for a magazine display buttondisplayed on a sub screen) is sensed, the controller 180 converts animage displayed on a screen from a home screen to a magazine.

In addition, the controller 180 of the present invention performsfunctions such as creation, edition, and change of the magazine.

An exemplary screen control method of the controller 180 according tothe present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 2 toFIG. 5 in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a procedure changing and editing amagazine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a controller 180 controls a display unit 130(such as shown in FIG. 1) to display a magazine 201 on a main region 10of the display unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the magazine201 may be composed of a Facebook execution screen 202, a weather screen203, a clock screen 204, and a calendar screen 200. At this time, thedisplay unit 130 displays a magazine end button 205, a guide 206, and afull view button 207 on a sub region 20 of the display unit 130.

If a magazine end event (e.g., tap 205 for a magazine end button 205) issensed on the sub region 20, the controller 180 controls the displayunit 130 to display a home screen instead of the magazine 201 on themain region 10, or to display entire screens except for an indicatorregion 30. Here, when a home screen is displayed on the main region 10,executed icons or favorite application icons may be displayed on the subregion 20. Meanwhile, the guide 206 guides a total number of magazinesand a relative location of a currently displayed magazine 201 to a user.

If a full magazine view event (e.g., tap for full view button 207) issensed at the sub region 20, the controller 180 converts a screen fromthe magazine 201 to a full magazine view screen 208 2(c). That is, thedisplay unit 130 converts all magazines into icons and displays theicons on the main region 10. At this time, the display unit 130 displaysa full view end button 209 on the sub region 20. If the user touches &drops the full view end (done) button 209, a touch screen 110 transfersa touch screen associated therewith to the controller 180, and thecontroller 180 senses termination of the full magazine view.

Accordingly, the display unit 130 displays a magazine 201 on a mainregion 10 and displays a magazine end button 205, a guide 206, and afull view button 207 on a sub region 20 (FIG. 2(a). Further, if a usertaps one of the icons, the controller 180 senses the tap and controlsthe display unit 130 to display a magazine corresponding to theparticular tapped icon on the main region 10. If a user presses one ofthe icons, (rather than taps) the controller 180 controls the displayunit 103 to display a magazine removal button 210 preferably arrangedabove all of the displayed icons. If the user taps the magazine removalbutton 210 (FIG. 2(c), the controller 180 removes a corresponding iconand magazine. If the user drags & drops one of the icons to an outsideof a screen, the controller 180 may remove a corresponding icon andmagazine. Meanwhile, the display unit 130 displays a magazine creationbutton 211 on the main region 10.

In the meantime, if a magazine change event is sensed, for example,flick & drop for a magazine 201, the controller 180 controls the displayunit 130 to display another magazine.

Moreover, when a magazine edit event, for example, press for a magazine201 is sensed, the controller 180 controls the display unit 130 todisplay a layout 212 of the magazine 201 on a main region 10 and a fullview button 207 and an edit end button 213 on the sub region 20. If tapfor the full view button 207 is sensed, the controller 180 converts ascreen from a layout 212 to a full magazine view screen 208. Further, iftap for an edit end button 213 is sensed, the controller 180 converts ascreen from the layout 212 to a magazine 201. As shown in FIG. 2(b), aFacebook™ icon 214, a weather icon 215, a clock icon 216, and a calendaricon 217 are disposed at each section of the layout 212. Further, anicon removal button is displayed on each icon. If a user taps the iconremoval button 218, the controller 180 removes a corresponding icon andrelease mapping between a corresponding section and an application. Asillustrated above, a new application may be mapped to a section fromwhich the icon is removed, and a detailed description thereof will begiven with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of a layout change procedureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, when a tap at the touchscreen for a magazinecreation event, for example, a magazine creation button 211 of FIG. 2(c)is sensed, a controller 180 controls a display unit 130 to display inFIG. 3(a) a layout 220 on a main region 10 and display a full viewbutton 207, a layout change button 221, and a creation end button 222 ona sub region 20. Further, the controller 180 controls the display unit130 to display a mapping button 223 above each section of the layout220. If a layout change event, for example, tap for a layout changebutton 221 or flick & drop for the layout 220 is sensed, the controller180 controls the display unit 130 to display a layout 224 having adifferent location of a section (FIG. 3(b)).

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating exemplary operation of a procedurecreating a magazine according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, if a mapping event, for example, a tap at thetouchscreen for a mapping button 225 (FIG. 4(a)) located at a firstsection 227 is sensed, the controller 180 controls the display unit 130to display an application list 226. Concretely, the controller 180selects at least one of a plurality of applications by referring to thesize of the first section 227, constructs an application list 226 withthe at least one selected application, and controls the display unit 130to display the application list 226 (FIG. 4(b)). In other words, thecontroller 180 may not include an application having the size of anapplication execution screen larger than that of the first section inthe list. For example, since a web browser may be mapped to a secondsection 228, it is included in the list. However, the web browser maynot be mapped to a first section 227 smaller than the second section 228(FIG. 4(d)). Here, the application list 226 may comprise of music,video, calendar, electronic mail, Really Simple Syndication (RSS)reader, clock, and weather.

If an application selection event, for example, tap at the touchscreenfor a clock from an application list 226 is sensed, the controller 180maps the clock to a first section 227 (FIG. 4(c)). Further, thecontroller 180 controls the display unit 130 to display a clock icon 230and a removal button 229 preferably proximal or above the first section227. In addition, when there are plural functions of an application, forexample, a clock selected by a user, the controller 180 controls thedisplay unit 130 to display a function button 231 on the first section227.

If a mapping event, for example, tap for a function button 230 issensed, the controller 180 controls the display unit 130 to display arelated function list 232. More particularly, the function list 232 mayconsist of Seoul time, New York time, London time, Tokyo time, and citysearch button 233. If a function section event, for example, tap forSeoul time is sensed from the function list 232, the controller 180 mapsa display function of the Seoul time to the first section 227.

According to the present invention, the controller 180 maps applicationsto other sections to create magazines, respectively. Next, when a tapfor a creation end button 222 is sensed, the controller 180 stores thecreated magazine in the memory 140 and controls the display unit 130 todisplay the created magazine.

In the meantime, the controller 180 may change remaining regions exceptfor regions to which applications are mapped to other layouts,respectively. This change of regions will be explained with reference toFIG. 5 in more detail.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a layout change procedure according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring now toFIG. 5, for example, a controller 180 controls a display unit 130 todisplay a layout composed of a plurality of sections. Subsequently, asshown in FIG. 5(a), the controller 180 maps clock and weatherapplications to a first section 241 and a second section 242,respectively. Next, if tap is sensed for a layout change button 221 orflick & drop is sensed for a layout 243, the controller 180 changesremaining regions except for sections to which applications are mappedto sections having the different sizes and numbers as shown FIGS. 5(b)and 5(c).

Further, the controller 180 enables a user to optionally adjust thesizes of respective sections. This adjustment will be described withreference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 in detail.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a layout change procedure according tostill another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 6(a), if a section control event is sensed, for example, drag to aleft side from a first boundary 247 between a first section 244 andsecond and third sections 245 and 246 is sensed, the controller 180reduces the size of the first section 244 and relatively increase thesizes of remaining sections 245, 246, and 248 as shown in FIG. 6(b).Further, a drag to a left side from a second boundary 249 between thesecond section 245 and third and fourth sections 246 and 248 is sensed,the controller 180 reduces the size of the second section 245 andincreases the sizes of remaining sections 246 and 248, as shown in FIG.6(c). At this time, the controller 180 maintains the size of the firstsection 244 not contacting the second boundary 249 at it is. Asillustrated above, the controller 180 moves boundaries to control thesizes of sections contacting the boundaries. Unlike the aforementionedcontrol of size of a plurality of sections, the controller 180 maycontrol the size of only one section to be described below.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a layout change procedure according to yetanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.7(a), if drag is sensed to an upper side from a first boundary 254between the first section 251 and second and third sections 252 and 253,the controller 180 reduces the size of the first section 244 as shown inFIG. 7(b). At this time, the controller 180 maintains the sizes ofremaining sections 252, 253, and 255 at is. Further, if a user drags itdownwards from the first boundary 254, the controller 180 againincreases the size of the first section 244.

Additionally, if drag to a left side from a second section 256 betweenthe second section 252 and third and fourth sections 253 and 255 issensed, the controller 180 reduces the size of the second section 252 asshown in FIG. 7(c). In the same manner, the sizes of remaining sectionsmaintain as is. Meanwhile, if the user drags it to a right side from thesecond boundary 256, the controller 180 again increases the size of thesecond section 252.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operation of a method forcontrolling a screen of a mobile terminal according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 8, at (301) a controller 180 controls a displayunit 130 to display an idle screen, for example, a home screen.

At (302(, if a magazine display event is sensed, then at (303), thecontroller 180 controls the display unit 130 to display a magazineinstead of the home screen. Meanwhile, if at (303) a magazine changeevent is sensed, the controller 180 controls the display unit 130 todisplay another magazine.

Next, at (304) if a magazine edit event is sensed while displaying themagazine, the process proceeds to step 306. If a magazine edit event isnot sense at (304), then it is determined by the controller at (305)whether a magazine end event is sensed while displaying the magazine,and the controller 180 terminates display of the magazine and insteadcontrols the display unit 130 to display a home screen.

The controller 180 controls the display unit 130 to display a layout ofa displayed magazine (306). The controller 180 changes an applicationmapped to a section to another application to edit the magazine (307).Meanwhile, the controller 180 may change a section from which mapping ofan application is released by a user to another section as illustratedwith reference to FIG. 5, and then map an application to the changedsection. Further, the controller 180 may control the size of the sectionas illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. If an edit end event is sensed(308), the controller 180 proceeds to step 309. The controller 180updates the edited magazine in a memory 140 and controls the displayunit 130 to display the edited magazine (309).

If a magazine creation event is sensed while displaying a home screen(310), the controller 180 proceeds to step 311. The controller 180controls the display unit 130 to display a layout (311) and then theprocess proceeds to step 312. If a layout change event is sensed, thecontroller 180 controls the display unit 130 to display another layout(311). The controller 180 maps applications to a plurality of sectionsin a one-to-one correspondence, respectively. Further, the controller180 may change it to another layout in remaining geometric regions ofthe display except for a geometric region of the display to which anapplication is mapped as illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 6and FIG. 7, the controller 180 may control the size of a section (312).If the creation end event is sensed (313), the controller 180 proceedsto step 314. The controller 180 controls the display unit 130 to displaythe created magazine (314).

The above-described methods according to the present invention can beimplemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of software orcomputer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM,an RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk orcomputer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remoterecording medium or a non-transitory machine readable medium and to bestored on a local recording medium, so that the methods described hereincan be rendered in such software that is stored on the recording mediumusing a general purpose computer, or a special processor or inprogrammable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would beunderstood in the art, the computer, the processor, microprocessorcontroller or the programmable hardware include memory components, e.g.,RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computercode that when accessed and executed by the computer, processor orhardware implement the processing methods described herein. In addition,it would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accessescode for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of thecode transforms the general purpose computer into a special purposecomputer for executing the processing shown herein.

Although a method for controlling a screen of a mobile terminalaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention has beendescribed in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood thatmany variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts hereintaught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will stillfall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal comprising: a processor; a RFcommunication unit coupled to the processor; a touch screen coupled tothe processor; and a memory coupled to the processor; wherein theprocessor is configured to: control the touch screen to display a visualarrangement that includes a plurality of sections; based on detecting aninput, display a list of applications which are insertable into aspecified section of the plurality of sections; based on detecting afirst touch input selecting a first application from the list ofapplications, associate the first application with a first section ofthe plurality of sections and store information related to theassociation in the memory; after associating the first application withthe first section, control the touch screen to update the visualarrangement including displaying a first image representing the firstapplication in the first section, wherein the visual arrangementincludes at least a second image related to an execution screen of atleast one other application in a second section of the plurality ofsections, such that the first image and the second image are displayedsimultaneously; after displaying the first image in the first section,detect a second touch input selecting the first image, and display alist including an item associated with the first application based onthe second touch input; and after detecting selection of the item,display an execution screen of the first application in the firstsection in replacement of the first image.
 2. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the execution screen of the first application and theexecution screen of the at least one other application comprise at leastone widget, the processor further configured to: display a menu itemover a portion of the first image; and in response to detecting a thirdtouch input selecting the menu item, remove the first image from displayin the specified section.
 3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein thefirst image representing the first application is maintained on thetouch screen after detecting the second touch input, while the listincluding the item is displayed, until the item is selected and thefirst image is removed.
 4. The mobile terminal of claim 1, furthercomprising a key input unit coupled to the processor.
 5. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:control the touch screen to display an application list when thespecified section is selected; associate a second application selectedfrom the application list with the specified section; and control thetouch screen to display in the specified section a second applicationicon corresponding to the second application.
 6. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to control thetouch screen to display the visual arrangement when a visual arrangementdisplay event is detected while displaying a home screen.
 7. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured tocontrol the touch screen to display the visual arrangement when a lockrelease event is detected.
 8. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereinthe processor is further configured to: control the touch screen todisplay an icon indicating the first application; and control, inresponse to detecting a touch gesture on the displayed icon, control thetouch screen to display a representation of the first application in thespecified section.
 9. A method in an electronic device, the methodcomprising: displaying, by a touch screen, a visual arrangement thatincludes a plurality of sections; based on detecting an input,controlling the touch screen to display a list of applications which areinsertable into a first section of the plurality of sections; based ondetecting a first touch input selecting a first application from thelist of applications, associating by a processor the first applicationwith the first section of the plurality of sections -and storinginformation related to the association; after associating the firstapplication with the first section, controlling the touch screen toupdate the visual arrangement including displaying a first imagerepresenting the first application in the first section, wherein thevisual arrangement includes at least a second image related to anexecution screen of at least one other application in a second sectionof the plurality of sections, such that the first image and the secondimage are displayed simultaneously; after displaying the first image inthe first section, detecting a second touch input selecting the firstimage, and displaying a list including an item associated with the firstapplication based on the second touch input; and after detectingselection of the item, displaying an execution screen of the firstapplication within the first section that replaces the first image. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the visual arrangement includes auser-specified layout.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying thevisual arrangement comprises controlling a size of at least one of theplurality of sections when a section control event is sensed.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the associating comprises: displaying by thetouch screen an application list; and receiving, via the applicationlist, a selection of the first application.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the first image representing the first application is maintainedon display after detecting the second touch input, while the listincluding the item is displayed, until the item is selected and thefirst image is removed.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein theassociating comprises generating a list of applications and receiving,via the list of applications, a selection of the first application. 15.The method of claim 9, further comprising replacing the visualarrangement with another visual arrangement when a visual arrangementchange event is sensed by the processor.
 16. The method of claim 9,further comprising associating a second application to the first sectionwhen a visual arrangement edit event is sensed by the processor.
 17. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: displaying an application listwhen the first section is selected; associating a second applicationselected from the application list to the first section; and displayingin the first section a second application icon corresponding to thesecond application.
 18. The method of claim 9, wherein the executionscreen of the first application and the execution screen of the at leastone other application comprise at least one widget, the method furthercomprising: displaying a menu item over a portion of the first image;and in response to detecting a third touch input selecting the menuitem, removing the first image from display in the first section. 19.The method of claim 9, wherein the associating further comprises:displaying, by the touch screen, an icon indicating the firstapplication; detecting a touch gesture on the displayed icon; and inresponse to the detecting, associating the first application with thefirst section.